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By Sumaila Ogbaje
The European Union (EU) and German Government have donated Information and Communication Technology (ICT) equipment to the National Defence College, Nigeria (NDC) to enhance defence and security education in West Africa.
The equipment was donated through the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission to boost activities of the NDC’s Centre for Strategic Research and Studies being designated as an ECOWAS Centre of Excellence.
The equipment include Newline 75″: TT-7522Z-UC 75″ Interactive Screen; Digital Simultaneous language Interpretation System; Digital IR Language Distribution System VIS; computers and printers among others.
In his remarks, the Commandant, NDC, Rear Adm. Olumuyiwa Olotu, said the equipment would help increase the college’s capacity and advance its renewed peace and security governance efforts.
Olotu said that the NDC, being the highest military institution in Nigeria and a designated centre of excellence, had continued to support professional training at a strategic level in West Africa, and also for the armed forces.
According to him, the NDC has been at the forefront of professional military education and training for senior military and civilian officers from Nigeria and other allied countries.
The commandant noted further that the college ensured that these officers acquired the strategic acumen necessary for both national and international security assignments at strategic levels.
He said that the donated state-of-the-art ICT equipment would play a pivotal role in modernising the college’s training capability.
Olotu added that the equipment would ensure that the staff are well-equipped to navigate today’s complex security challenges and continued to excel in their vital roles.
“This initiative reflects our shared commitment to innovation and the enduring strength of our college.
“And I must commend our strategic partners, the EU, the Government of Germany through GIZ, ECOWAS and other partners that have worked together collectively to bring this day to reality.
“Your commitment not only enhances our capacity to impart knowledge, but also empowers us to continue our mission in the field of research by providing quality solutions to our governments in the ECOWAS subregion.
“These quality solutions are to enable governments in the ECOWAS subregion navigate the increasingly complex global security landscape,” he said.
The Head of Cooperation, German Embassy in Nigeria, Dr Karin Jansen, said the donation was a testament to their shared commitment to fostering peace, security and development in West Africa.
Jansen said the ICT tools would play a vital role in the new ECOWAS Peace, Security, and Governance Project, which focused on strengthening cooperation of ECOWAS Training Centres of Excellence, as well as strengthening their digitalisation.
According to her, those centres will now be better equipped to serve as hubs for policy coordination, planning and training in digital areas, including gender equality warning.
She added that the centres would also enable security sector reforms and governance, elections and democracy, human rights and compliance, and accountability framework for peace and board operations.
“These tools are well-positioned to address the evolving security challenges in the region and ensure that ECOWAS continues to lead in shaping peace and security strategies,” she said.
In his remarks, Mr Reuben Alba, Acting Head of Cooperation, EU, said the donation was a long overdue milestone that would strengthen the capacity of professionals across the ECOWAS member states in promoting peace and security.
Alba said it was vital that institutions like the NDC kept adapting to meet both national, regional, but also global challenges.
According to him, the arrival of the tools shows their shared commitment to improve both the quality and impact of the education of both current and future leaders in the region.
“This equipment will contribute to identifying operational gaps and will also help you to strengthen commitment to improve both capacity and capabilities,” he said.
Dr Cyriaque Agnekethom, Director, Peacekeeping and Regional Security, ECOWAS Commission, commended the German government and EU for their commitment to peace and security in West Africa.
He assured of ECOWAS commitment to executing all the projects being sponsored by their partners in promoting peace, security and development in the ECOWAS sub-region. (NAN)